Loose-leaf post binder



Aug. 30, 1932. c, DAWSQN 1,874,032

LOOSE LEAF POST BINDER Filed April 29, 1931 J6 ,EiU/GWJZUP: 35 JamesGflawson Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATES JAMES o. DAWSON, E WEBSTERGROVES, MISSOURI, ASsIGnonrro ELMA iv. Dawson,

0E WEBSTER eEov S, MlISSOURI I LOOSE-LEAF ros n? iamnEn Applicationfiled April 29, 1931. Serial. No. 533,718.

This invention relates to center lock loose leaf post binders, and hasfor its objects to provide a simple and secure locking means and toprovide means for offsetting the efiect of the addition of severalmanufacturing tolerances which heretofore have rendered the lockinsecure.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing description when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the binder;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the upper binder tube,illustrating the operating parts in plan;

Fig. 3 is a section through the upper binder bar on the line 33 of Fig.2 showing the posts and portions of the locking mechanism in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a vertical, transverse section on the line 44 of Fig. 3, thecentral elements of the locking mechanism being shown in elevation.

Loose leaf binders of the center lock type usually comprise a flattenedlower tubular binder bar 10 to which are aflixed the paper holding posts12 and 13. The ends of the bar may be closed by the plugs 14 and 15which frequently are also the hinges for the heavy 30 board cover 16. Ingeneral, the same structure is duplicated for the upper cover with theexception that the binder tube 17 is perforated at 18 and 19 to receivethe posts 12 and 13.

The locking means for holding the upper bar to the posts is maintainedwithin the tube 17 and is usually forced into engagement with the postsby toggle or wedge means. Up to this point, the binder described is theconventional and well known device.

49 Since the binders are made in relatively enormous quantities and soldat low prices, a suitable manufacturing tolerance must be allowed. Notonly must provision be made for variation of from .001 to .002 of aninch in the diameter of the posts, but their location upon the bar 10varies through a necessarily even greater tolerance. It is not possibleto pierce the holes 18 and 19 through the bar 17 with absolute accuracyand, in consequence, there is a possibility that these tolerances mayall 'add up in the wrong direction so that whatever locking mechanism isprovided willnot even engage the paper holding posts. i

In the present instance the locking means comprise two plates 21 and 22,bent through a right angle at their ends to engage the lower inner wall23 of the binder bar 17. They bear at their outer ends the blades 24 and25, which may beheld in place by the. combined spacers and rivets 26 and27. Preferably the blades 24 and are madeof hardened steel, and areground to form a cutting edge, after the manner of a cold chisel, butone (the lower) bevel face, 28, I prefer to make shorter than the upperface 29. A threaded stud 31, which bears an integral collar 32, isriveted to the lower wall of the binder bar 17 and extends transverselyacross the bar and through a clearance, aperture 33 on the opposite sidethereof. A thumb nut 34 is threaded upon the stud, and bears a hardenedcone 35, loosely fitted upon its shank and held thereon, as by a flangeand washer. as shown. This cone enters between the adjacent ends of theplates 21, 22, and when urged downwardly by the nut 34 forces theseplates into engagement with the posts 12, 13. Upon the withdrawal of thenut the cone is carried upwardly with it, relieving the pressure uponthe plates 21, 22, which are thereupon withdrawn from the posts 12, 13,by the horse-shoe spring 36, which embraces the downturned ends of theplates and is placed under tension by the downward movement of the cone.

Considerable play is allowed between the cone and the nut. Inconsequence of the sharp taper of the cone and the play allowed,

it is able to occupy any position which may 1. In a loose leaf binder, atubular binder L,

bar, locking elements within the bar, a

threaded stud fixed in the bottom Wall of the bar and extending throughan aperture in the opposite wall, a nut upon the stud and a freelyturning cone retained upon the nut and engageable with the lockingelements.

2. In alooseleaf binder, in combination, a binder: bar having verticalposts, a hollow binder bar slidably mounted on the posts, slidablelocking plates Within the hollow bar and having knifeedges for engagingthe posts, adjacent ends of the plates being bentlaterally, a fixedthreaded stud located be- 7 tween the plates, a thumb nut threaded uponthe stud, and a cone-shaped Wedge-block earried by the stem of the nutand having lateral lost motion relatively thereto and being engageableWith the inner ends oi the plates.

In testimony whereof I affix mysignature.

JAMES C. DAWSON,

